Glashutte Original

Glashutte Original Seventies Panorama Date Watch

The last few years it was "Senator Sixties" for Glashutte Original's retro collection. Some people loved those, and some hated them. One thing that amused me was that I recently saw a vintage Timex that was the precise look the Senator Sixties was going for. I wonder how many Glashutte Original owners got mistaken for Timex owners?

This year GO looks to the 1970s with the TV screen styled Seveneties Panorama date watch. It actually uses the same in-house made GO automatic big date movement as one of the Senator Sixties watches. If you like the style, then the execution is lovely. The dial will come in at least three tones - here done in sunburst polished German silver. There is a neat integration between the case and the bracelet. That latter element appears to be one of the highlights of the piece, and will offer superior wearing comfort. Part of that is due to GO's use of their micro-adjust deployment clasp.

Overall, Glashutte Original used some of its better parts and a new case for this Seventies Panorama Date watch. I expect more models (such as a chronograph) to show up soon. Like I said, some people will love the design and others will be bored to tears with it. Nevertheless, it is very well executed and is overall a job well done from GO in Germany.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 1970s, glashutte, glashutte original, panorama date, seventies, watch

Glashutte Original PanoMatic Counter XL Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Totally unique watch complications were not exactly common this year, but Glashutte Original had a few, the most useful of which is the counter in the Glashutte Original PanoMatic Counter XL watch. Similar to the golf counter complication, this "multi purpose" counter is able to count up to 99. The left side of the 44mm wide steel case has an additional three buttons that control the digit counter window on the left of the case with the red numerals. One button is for counting up, the other is for counting back down, and the third button is to reset back to zero. The Counter complication sits quietly next to the rest of the watch. You have the PanoMatic XL watch with the time, "Panorama Date" (big date), and a prominent 12 hour chronograph. The chronograph orientation is cool using overlapping rings. With the crown, the watch appears to have many "projectiles" coming out of it, but is actually a very simple watch to operate.

Really beautifully finished in typical Glashutte Original fashion, the piece contains the in-house made automatic Caliber 96 movement that is beautifully decorated and looks amazing (as is the Glashutte Original way...). Even though emphasis on the dial is not the time, the watch face itself is not hard to read thanks to the design of the dial. The watch has a sapphire crystal on the front and back, and is water resistant to 50 meters. For what it is, the prices should be pretty reasonable. Look for it later this year.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Glashutte Original PanoMatic Counter XL

Tags: 2010, basel, Baselworld 2010, counter, glashutte original, GlashutteOriginal, panomatic, watch, xl

Glashutte Original Senator Sixties Panorama Date Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

The tiki hut watch is back for more. At least that is what I nicknamed the Glashutte Original Senator Sixties watch due to the shape of its Arabic numerals. New for 2010 is the Panorama Date version of the watch. This is what Glashutte Original calls their "big date" complication. You can see it in the lower center part of the dial. Two large discs to tell the date instead of one. At this point you either love the design or feel that it isn't even worth your time to look at. I am not sure where I stand, but I suddenly want a drink that arrives sipped out of a coconut. The Senator Sixties Panorama Date comes in a 42mm wide steel case with either the pictured silver dial, or a black dial. Both have gold hour hands and indexes. The watch is thinner at 12.4mm thick. Now that I think of it, the Glashutte Original logo really goes with the theme well.

Aside from that the watch is pretty straight forward. This is a more "simple" version of the Senator Sixties watch as the line progresses. Inside the watch is a Glashutte Original in-house made Calibre 39-47 automatic movement. 22k gold rotor that you can see through the watch's sapphire caseback window. The watch will be under $10,000 I believe, and will be officially unveiled in March.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Glashutte Original Senator Sixties Panorama Date Watch

Tags: 2010, 39-47-01-02-04, 39-47-0302-04, glashutte original, GlashutteOriginal, panorama date, PanoramaDate, senator sixties, SenatorSixties, watch

Glashutte Original PanoMaticLunar XL Watch For 2010

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

The newest Glashutte Original PanoMatic watch has been updated in design to be more streamlined and minimalist. This moonphase version is the PanoMaticLunar XL and further has a trendy gray demeanor to it. If brown is the new hot color to match with gold, then gray is the new hot color to match with steel, white gold, or platinum. As such, this 42mm wide watch comes in steel - finished really well by Glashutte Original.

Inside the watch is the in-house made Calibre 90-02 automatic movement. Functions include a big date, off-centered watch dial with subsidiary seconds, and a moon phase indicator. All in various shades of gray. You can see the movement through the watch's sapphire caseback window. The strap is in charcoal shaded alligator. It is hard to say whether the watch will be a hit. Emphasis here is more on the dial and functions than the presentation or the case. Part of me feels that the case is too simple looking. At the same time, the information delivery on the dial is very straightforward and comfortable. Look for the watch in Glashutte Original boutiques or retailers soon.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 2010, Baselworld, Glashutte Original, GlashutteOriginal, moon phase, MoonPhase, PanoMaticLunar, watch, XL

Glashutte Original PanoMaticReserve XL Piece Unique Watch For Charity

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Charity

A German watch maker owned by the French contributes a watch to charity sold to benefit the Italian Cancer Research Organization. Kind of ironic really, but the watch in question is very cool. Glashutte Original took its very popular PanoMaticReserve XL Watch and have put it in some new clothing. The new black and yellow bumble bee look is sporty and suave - certainly something I hope that they will think about making more widely. The 42mm case is in black PVD stainless steel. It contrasts nicely with the neon yellow on the dial, for the hand, and as the stitching on the strap. While the actual differences between this model and the standard PanoMaticReserve XL watches isn't that great, the watch really feels different.

Inside the watch is Glashutte Original's automatic caliber 90-03 movement that has the time with subsidiary seconds dial, power reserve indicator, and a big date indicator. I like that Glashutte Original was able to tone down the watch (other versions or after in gold) and at the same time make it more sporty. This piece unique is really stunning and I hope more timepieces from the luxury German brand follow in suit.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: black, charity, Glashutte Original, GlashutteOriginal, PanoMaticReserve XL, PanomaticreserveXl, watch, yellow

Glashütte Original Pocket Watch No. 1 With Quarter Hour Repeater

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

This seems to be the year of pocket watch from haute luxury watch makers. Something about a "return to classic tradition and heritage of the brand." Say that out-loud in an obnoxious ambiguously European accent for the "full effect." From Glashütte Original comes the lovely limited edition Pocket Watch No. 1. Maybe it is their first pocket watch, at least I think it is in the modern era.

Really the pocket quite is quite classic, in most every design sense. Details are still thin, so I can't tell you about the price or size yet. Expect that it is "of average pocket watch size." I do know that the case is in 18k rose gold, with hinged lids on both the dial and caseback. The dial is enamel, with blued steel hands, and painted Roman numeral hour markers. It has a tasteful looking subsidiary seconds dial as well.

Movement is the hand-wound 84-10, newly design caliber movement that has a few nice features. In addition to the time, the movement has a quarter repeater mechanism. Activating a lever on the side of the watch enables the watch to repeat the time back to you in an audio form, that is accurate to the closest quarter hour. The movement also features a zero-reset mechanism for the seconds hand, which resets the seconds indicator when you pull the crown out for accurate setting.

The Pocket Watch No. 1 comes with a matching rose gold chain. The watch looks very handsome, but carrying around a pocket watch these days is certainly an acquired taste. Glashutte Original is making just 25 pieces in this limited edition, that will be officially unveiled at Baselworld in March.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 1, Glashutte Original, GlashutteOriginal, Limited Edition, LimitedEdition, Pocket Watch, PocketWatch, watch of the day, WatchOfTheDay

Glashutte Original Senator Chronometer Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Here is a traditionally nice timepiece with some less than obvious technical qualities that make it nicer than you'd suspect at first glance. At first you can appreciate the classic marine chronometer dial design that you can find these days on most every Ulysse Nardin Maxi Marine Dive watch. Glashutte Original has adopted the design nicely with a large subsidiary seconds dial and power reserve indicator up top. Aside from these basic functions, the watch also has a big date complication, as well as a small day/night indicator (small hole displaying light or dark, located in the bottom section of the power reserve indicator. The watch also contains a special second zero reset function that sets the seconds to zero when you are adjusting the time of the watch.

In addition to those useful features, this Senator Chronometer is apparently Glashutte Original's first COSC certified Chronometer timepiece. Movement is in-house made and beautifully decorated as is the case with all high-end watches that come from the region in Saxony. The Germanic style movement looks similar to those of competitor company A. Lange & Sohne. The Glashutte Original Senator Chronometer is in 18k rose gold (not sure on case size yet). While the watches are not strictly a limited edition, they will have limited availability until the end of the year, being located in only select stores around the world. It is hard not to like the classic looks of the watch that wed tradition with function so nicely. Very close to the modern ideal of what a luxury German made watch should be about.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: chronometer, germany, glashutte original, GlashutteOriginal, senator, watch

Glashutte Original Sport Evolution Limited Edition Watch Only At Lussori

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

This fine timepiece from Glashutte Original is in a limited edition of just 15 pieces, each available only at the luxury watch store Lussori that is located in Carmel-By-The-Sea. California. This special version of the Glashutte Original Sport Evolution Panorama Date watch is in the full 18k rose gold case and bracelet, and has a beautiful blue dial and bezel.

Like all Glashutte Original watches, the movements are in-house made in Glashutte Germany. The level of decoration and refinement are impressive. You can see the automatic movement through the case back of the watch (which is still covered in all the protective plastic in the pictures). Holding the watch in your hand you are impressed with the heft of gold. It makes for a highly noticeable watch that you'll notice on your wrist - a good thing in my opinion. While some people enjoy the concept of stealth wealth, others adore having their timepieces be noticed. The various tones of metallic blue on the dial are complimented by splashes of red. The square club hands are easy to read, while the two-disc "panorama" big date at 4 o'clock is a wonderful complication to have in a sport style watch.

Admire the case and you'll notice some of the finer details that you get in German Glashutte Original watch - that you'll never find in a Rolex (which arelower cost watches, though obvious thematic competitors to this timepiece). There is certainly a lot more sophisticated style here in the Sport Evolution than say a Submariner or Yachmaster. Plus you have the Glashutte Original movements that you can't even really compare to Rolex. The case is 42.5mm wide and very well polished and finished with contrasting brushed and polished surfaces. The Sport Evolution bracelet is one of the most interestingly made bracelets available with absolutely no gaps and a complex but smooth feel to it (so characteristically German). If you want one of these lovely numbers, you'll have to talk to or visit Lussori. Retail price is about $40,000 for this all rose gold Glashutte Original Sport Evolution Panorama Date watch.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Glashutte Original for Lussori